You are required to write a letter to your friend suggesting at least three tips to beat examination jitters.
Points to Note
1. This is an informal letter, remember to use only one address which is your address.
2. The minimum word count for a WAEC essay or letter is 450 words. One side of an answer sheet accommodates about 150 words for an average handwriting, so you need to write up to 3 sides to achieve the minimum word count.
3. Pay attention to punctuation. If you are going to use punctuation marks in the address endeavor to apply to all; don’t jump one line and continue with the next.
4. Remember the important aspects of your writing; you must start with an introduction, the middle part (body which will contain the points you are making), and a conclusion. This is very important!
If necessary, refresh your memory by reading the rules of writing informal letters.
A Letter With Three Suggestions On Overcoming Examination Jitters
(Your address should be placed on the top right of your letter)
Hello Joy,
I was happy to receive your last letter; it’s been a while. I understand that you are preparing for your final-year examinations, as I am. However, we ought to make time for social activities, you know what they say about all work and no play!
In your letter, you mentioned that you are having doubts about your ability to pass your examinations. But you don’t have to worry. You are experiencing cold feet which is perfectly normal for anyone facing a life-changing event such as our situation. It is natural and everyone passes through that moment at one time or the other. I had been suffering the same fate myself until I read an article that provided a guide on how to manage examination jitters.
The first thing the article mentions is that the examination candidate should be calm. They should realize that their fate is in their hands. Panicking will only result in mistakes. If you have not covered the syllabus as you should have, you are not to become downcast and believe that all is lost. Take a day and do nothing else except go through the topics in the syllabus. You may find that you have treated more areas than you assumed.
Secondly, you must create a study timetable and make a conscious effort to follow it. If you don’t stick to a timetable, the result may be haphazard studying and likely giving much more time and attention to one subject. All the eight subjects that we have to write are equally important, although mathematics and English carry a bit more weight. Still, our target is distinctions in our five core subjects if not the entire eight. After you have made a timetable you must practice with past questions which you can easily get even online (here’s a link to practice quizzes on writing, comprehension, and multiple choice questions (objectives). We are going to sit for JAMB also, so here’s a link to the JAMB English reading text for 2025; The Lekki Headmaster. Practice, practice, and more practice. The saying that practice makes perfect is true in this case. Practice gives you confidence, and confidence results in assurance that you will pass the examinations.
But before the above suggestions, you must BELIEVE in yourself. If you don’t have confidence in your ability to ace the examinations, you will already have lost half the battle.
In summary, the examinations we are going to write are the culmination of six years of secondary education. This examination is the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), and the certificate obtainable is the minimum requirement for higher education and even employment. One of the requirements for presidential aspirants in the country is a WASSCE certificate, so I cannot stress enough how critical the coming examination is for you, me, and our various friends and classmates!
In conclusion, these three suggestions I gave above should help with your examination jitters if you follow them diligently. To recap, I said, one: don’t panic, instead, stay calm, two: make a timetable and practice continuously with past questions; if you don’t practice beforehand, you will be making the main examination your practice run which is not ideal! Three: believe in yourself; we did not spend six years studying without learning anything! Our parents sacrificed and gave us all the materials we needed to succeed. They have confidence in us, so we should not let them down.
I look forward to hearing from you about how you have mastered the situation and beyond that, our victory in the exams so we can come home and take a well-deserved holiday! Till then, stay safe, and bye for now!
Your best friend, Rita
Conclusion
You must have noted that the letter above has:
1. a friendly tone, this is suitable for informal letters,
2. an introduction explaining the problem or issue to be resolved,
3. three paragraphs outlining each suggestion as required by the question,
4. a conclusion, where the writer summarizes her suggestions,
5. no signature because informal letters should not have signatures.
Always remember that whichever essay or letter writing question you choose, your answer must NOT BE LESS THAN 450 WORDS.
Study Other Informal Letters and WAEC Questions
You can read other past WAEC letter writing questions and answers to familiarize more with WAEC-type questions. Don’t forget to also study examples of narrative essay questions and answers as well as comprehension and summary questions from previous WAEC examinations.